“While soldiers on both sides of the conflict had very different views on slavery and states’ rights, all shared an appreciation for a good cup of coffee.”

THE GATLING GUN, improved repeating rifles, and ironclad warships are just a few of the revolutionary breakthroughs to come out of the Civil War. But here’s an innovation from the era you may not be aware of: instant coffee.

While soldiers on both sides of the conflict had differing views regarding things like slavery and states’ rights, almost all shared an appreciation for a good cup of coffee. In fact, java was one of the small comforts of home that could make life on the march or in camp something approaching bearable.

Unfortunately for Southern troops, the Union naval blockade prevented imported goods from entering the Confederacy; coffee was one of them. So, Rebs in the field had to settle for ad hoc substitutes made from peanuts, potatoes, burnt corn, chicory and even acorns.[1]

Northern troops did get the real stuff, but not much of it. When it was issued, the beans were doled out to the troops raw and unprepared. Soldiers had to carefully roast them over their campfires, and then grind them down before brewing using their rifle butts. This daily ritual, which commanders understood was vital for morale, consumed considerable time and energy. So much so that the Union army sought some sort of method to mass-produce prepared coffee for armies in the field.[2]

Although ground coffee was already widely available to Northern civilians, the army avoided making large purchases. When the military did buy coffee, crooked suppliers were famous for diluting the sacks with dirt. Instead, in 1861, the army began issuing something called “Essence of Coffee” to troops. [3] A thick unappetizing sludge, it was made from concentrated boiled coffee, with milk and sugar added at the factory. Troops could prepare it by simply spooning some into a mug and adding hot water. Not surprisingly the soldiers hated the stuff; it tasted horrid. Worse, it caused abdominal cramps and diarrhea, more than likely because shifty suppliers found that it was cheaper to make the concoction using spoiled milk. The Union army soon dumped its supplies and reluctantly returned to raw coffee beans.

Although this first attempt at instant java was a flop, others would perfect the concept after the war. In 1901, a more palatable version of the drink was made public at the Pan American Expo in Buffalo, New York and by 1910, instant coffee was commercially available all over the United States.

SOURCES
1. http://articles.cnn.com/2007-10-29/living/mf.coffee.confederacy_1_beans-union-troops-civil-war?_s=PM:LIVING
2. Ibid
3. Cape Fear Civil War Round Table.
4. http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/wayoflife/10/29/mf.coffee.confederacy/